Inman: Court reporting career remains 'good option for anyone'

Nearly four decades have passed since Gloria Inman began her career as an Etowah County court reporter. Then, there were three other court reporters in the county — all men.

Times Staff Report

Nearly four decades have passed since Gloria Inman began her career as an Etowah County court reporter. Then, there were three other court reporters in the county — all men. Although she had not completed the court reporting program at Gadsden State Community College, Inman was hired to report for Judge Cyril Smith. Smith's judgeship was newly created, and so was Inman's position.“I've been the only reporter that has held the position for place number four,” Inman said. “It was a created position, and I was allowed to take it because I was ready.”Finishing her degree by taking night classes, Inman was the first student to graduate from GSCC's court reporting program. She worked for Smith for 11 more years, which she said were very enjoyable.Inman didn't always know she wanted to be a court reporter. When she was a high school senior, she attended the Cherokee County vocational school, where she was enrolled in business and secretarial classes. As a student there, she was introduced to the stenograph machine and learned to use it rather quickly. After graduating from high school in 1973, she enrolled in Gadsden State, where she continued in the secretarial program.She started working for the director of the court reporting program in the summer of 1974. This, coupled with her knowledge of the stenograph, made the transition from the secretarial program to the court reporting program a natural one. However, Inman and other court reporters say what they do is not secretarial work.While there are several differences between court reporting and secretarial work, the most common is the stenograph that traditional court reporters use. Its keyboard is different from a typewriter or computer. Court reporters have to learn a very precise and shortened typing system, as well as how to transcribe what they record. Court reporters also note that their work is extremely taxing and tedious.“The challenges of the job are being able to concentrate really hard and having the stamina to be in court all day,” Inman said. “The deadlines can be very stressful.”Inman said she recognizes that the field is changing, but sees it as a positive thing. She said court reporting is a good career for anyone, including men, who at one time filled most of those positions.“At the time I started, it was a male-dominated field,” Inman said. “A majority of the reporters were coming from Texas, but when Gadsden State began their program, it started to become a mostly female career in this area and others.”With the emergence of the digital age, court reporters no longer have one steady role in America. Some no longer use the stenograph. While some believe this is hindering the field, others see it as a way for court reporters to expand their skills and branch out into other areas.“There are so many more opportunities now that it's a good field for anyone to go into,” Inman said. “There is a wider range of options than just regular reporting, like real time or judicial reporting, or you could do freelance.”Although Inman welcomes the changes, she said traditional court reporting remains a good option for anyone looking for more consistent work hours. In fact, she still loves that aspect of her job after all these years.She currently is the court reporter for Judge William Rhea III, a position she has held for 26 years. “It's been a very good career for me,” Inman said. “I've met and worked with wonderful people who have all been very encouraging.”The instructors and staff at Gadsden State certainly belong in that group. “All of the instructors, especially Marie Whitaker and Robert Miller, were eager to help me and share their knowledge with me,” she said. “They took a personal interest in my success and encouraged me.”Inman said she plans to continue working for many years, and hopes others will consider court reporting in one of its many forms when choosing a career.She and her husband, Donnie, have two children: Lora (Brett) Causey and Dustin (Felicia) Inman. They also have four grandchildren; Parker, Hudson, Hadley and Dexter.

Online Services

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Gadsden Times ~ 401 Locust St. Gadsden, AL 35901, Gadsden, AL 35901 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service